Students attend Northwest Poets’ Concord

Students attend Northwest Poets’ Concord, weekend college

May 1, 2012NEWPORT, Ore. – For the fourth year in a row, EOU students will have the opportunity this week to study with some of the region’s most prominent poets.

The Northwest Poets’ Concord meets May 4 -6 in Newport. More than 100 writers from Whidbey Island to Sacramento and Boise to Grants Pass will converge for three days of readings, workshops and presentations at the Hallmark Inn.

David Biespiel, 2011 winner of the Oregon Book Award in Poetry, will give the keynote address on “The Three R’s of Poetry.” Attendees also include talented Newport High School students who will end Saturday’s sessions with their own reading.

In conjunction with the Concord, Sandra Ellston, professor of English and writing at EOU, will conduct a weekend college course on northwest poetry. Students are given full reign to work with various poets throughout the conference and their study concludes with focus on the writings of a single poet.

For many it has been a life-changing experience.

“Kudos to Dr. E [Ellston] and all the poets for an event I will remember as a highlight of my EOU days,” said Marilyn Mathews, two-time participant and EOU alumna who is now a graduate student at Portland State University.

After becoming hooked on poetry at her first Concord, Crystal Taylor, a senior in EOU’s English and writing program, is now applying for graduate programs in creative writing and is a regular reader at local open mike events.

EOU alumnus Adam Swenson will attend for the second time this year, as well as several other graduates.

Poets from across the state, including Toni Hanner of Eugene, are also taking note.

Hanner said the Concord is “the best large-scale poetry event going in Oregon.”

EOU and other partners are sponsoring the event, including Writers on the Edge, Lincoln County Cultural Coalition, Lane Literary Guild, City of Newport and private donors.

For more information visit poetsconcord.org. “Concord,” an anthology of work from the 2011 conference edited by Ellston, is also available.